DAY 1 - 44CUP COWES - TIGHT FROM THE START

What the opening day of the 44Cup in Cowes lacked in sunshine it more than made up for with close racing. The morning had started with just 8-10 knots of breeze and flat seas but, as the day played out a series of subtle changes took place that kept everyone from trimmers to tacticians on their toes. The two most notable factors involved the breeze building to a peak of around 15 knots and the tide turning in the middle of the day. Both helped to deliver some very close racing and revealed one team in particular that was clearly in the groove.